
Introduction

Net 3.5 is a critical component for many applications to run smoothly on Windows Server 2012. Unfortunately, it is not included by default in the operating system. Therefore, in this article, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to install Net 3.5 on Server 2012.
Check System Requirements
Before installing Net 3.5, you must ensure that the server meets the system requirements. The following are the minimum requirements:
- Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows Server 2012
- At least 4 GB of RAM
- At least 10 GB of free disk space
- An internet connection to download the necessary files
Once you have confirmed that the server meets the requirements, you can proceed with the installation process.
It is worth noting that if you are running Windows Server 2012 R2, Net 3.5 is already installed by default. However, if you are running Windows Server 2012, you will need to install it manually.
Install Net 3.5 using Server Manager
You can install Net 3.5 using Server Manager, which is a built-in tool in Windows Server 2012. Follow these steps:
- Open Server Manager and select “Add roles and features.”
- Click “Next” until you get to the “Features” section.
- Check the box next to “.NET Framework 3.5 Features.”
- Click “Next” and then “Install” to begin the installation process.
- Wait for the installation to complete and then restart the server.
You can also use the “Specify an alternate source path” option in case the installation files are not available on the server.
Install Net 3.5 using PowerShell
You can also install Net 3.5 using PowerShell, which is a command-line interface that allows you to automate tasks in Windows Server 2012. Follow these steps:
- Open PowerShell as an administrator.
- Type the following command:
Install-WindowsFeature -Name NET-Framework-Core -Source <path-to-installation-media>
- Replace
<path-to-installation-media>
with the path to the installation media or the alternate source path. - Press “Enter” to begin the installation process.
- Wait for the installation to complete and then restart the server.
Using PowerShell is an excellent option if you need to install Net 3.5 on multiple servers as you can use scripts to automate the process. Additionally, PowerShell provides you with more control over the installation process compared to Server Manager.
Troubleshooting
During the installation process, you may encounter several errors that can prevent Net 3.5 from being installed. The following are some of the common errors and how to resolve them:
- Error 0x800F081F: This error occurs when the installation source files are not available. To fix this error, you need to specify an alternate source path. Insert your Windows Server installation media and run the following command in PowerShell:
Install-WindowsFeature –name NET-Framework-Core –source D:sourcessxs
Replace “D:” with the drive letter of your installation media.
- Error 0x800F0906: This error occurs when the installation files are not found. To fix this error, you need to download the installation files from Microsoft’s website. Once you have downloaded the files, run the following command in PowerShell:
Install-WindowsFeature –name NET-Framework-Core
- Error 0x800F0922: This error occurs when there is a group policy blocking the installation. To fix this error, you need to disable the group policy temporarily and then install Net 3.5. After the installation is complete, you can re-enable the group policy.
Conclusion
In this article, we have provided step-by-step instructions on how to install Net 3.5 on Server 2012. We have covered two methods: using Server Manager and using PowerShell. We also discussed the importance of ensuring that the server meets the system requirements before installing Net 3.5.
Additionally, we have mentioned some common errors that can occur during the installation process and how to resolve them. By following the steps outlined in this article, you will be able to install Net 3.5 on Server 2012 successfully.
Having Net 3.5 installed on your server is essential for many applications to run smoothly. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that it is installed correctly. We hope this article has been helpful in guiding you through the installation process.